Head Cold Protects from Swine Flu

Nov 26, 2009

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Scientists from the University of Lyon, France, and experts from other European universities have independently discovered that head cold greatly reduces the risk of catching a flu, including A/H1N1 virus.

Experts noted that the decreased prevalence of influenza was simultaneous with the increase in cases of rhinovirus infection, a respiratory disease causing head cold. Researchers say flu virus attaches to the mucous membranes of nasal passages so having running nose prevents its attachment and replication. Another curbing factor is a direct competition between viruses. Scientists jokingly say that now you can look at the bright side of your annoying head cold.